Welcome to this week’s 5BF: Blastland’s unsettling truth,
Harari’s overwhelming future world, the allures and dangers of solitude, Anne Lamont’s
wisdom on life, and more…
1 – what I read
The Hidden Half by Michael Blastland – this book is about
the hidden half of stories which our human brains and statistical knowledge
cannot see or comprehend. How come two twins, despite being provided exact
external environment turn out to be totally different persons? The hidden half
in present in almost all cases, and it should be taken as a warning. Our claims,
medical, economic, and so on, might not be that accurate after all.
Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari – a fascinating book about
what the future of humankinds might hold; a future where Homo Sapiens the species
might even stop existing. Both provocative and factually guessing, Harari
successfully tells an utterly engaging story of human past dominance, unmanageable
present power, and future’s avalanche of technological progresses. Read it,
now!
2 – movie recommendation
(sorry, but I think the list of my favorite 2020 movies
would have to wait another week)
The Little Things (2021) – a crime movie as good as the classics.
Brilliant performances by Jared Leto, Rami Malek, and Denzel Washington that
brings to life a suspenseful and morally questioning story. It’s been 5 years
since policeman Dekke suffered an upsetting event at work; yet once again, the
same case is troubling another young bright officer. The same serial killer is
on the loose. Worth watching, for sure!
3 – food for thought
Article: The visitor @aeon – this short article, filled with
quotes of great authors, explore what solitude is for; what lures great men
towards it, yet what dangers lurk therein that have to escaped.
Ted Talk: 12 truths I learnt from life and writing (AnneLamont) – the bestseller author of ‘Bird by Bird’ gives a hilarious and
heartwarming TED talk, where she presents 12 promising truths in world where everything
is becoming vague. I couldn’t stop my tears.
4 – a poem
And went against the world;
'Twas not so much as David had,
But I was twice as bold.
Was all the one that fell.
Was it Goliath was too large,
Or only I too small?
-Emily Dickinson
5 – this week’s quote
‘There’s almost nothing
outside of you that will help in any kind of lasting way, unless you're waiting for
an organ. It is an inside job’. – Anne Lamont